Page 9 of Teasing a King

I look around and everyone is watching me intently, waiting for what I’ll say next. “I also came here to tell the father.”

Hope’s eyes narrow. “Someone we know?”

I nod and whisper, “You know him.” I glance around at the other women. “You all do.”

Everyone is silent for several moments, probably trying to figure out who it might be. Claire’s eyes widen and her mouth drops open.

“You slept with my brother, didn’t you?” she accuses

Quinn shrugs. “I know I did,” she says with a grin, instantly lightening the mood. “Up top!”

She holds up a hand to Hannah who high fives her.

“Gross,” Claire says, rolling her eyes.

Quinn just laughs. “You set yourself up for that one.”

“Anyway,” Claire says pointedly. “That wasn’t the brother I was referring to.” She looks back at me. “You and Van?”

I close my eyes and nod.

“Holy shit,” Quinn mutters.

“Wow,” Hannah says.

Hope narrows her eyes at me. “When did this happen? And why didn’t you tell me?”

I give her a pointed look. “Because he and I agreed it was a one-time thing and no one else needed to know. That included his brothers. One of which you’d just gotten engaged to, I might add.”

She rolls her eyes. “I can keep a secret.”

“I know you can,” I say gently. “But I didn’t want you to have to keep things from your future husband. Which is why I didn’t say anything about the baby until I’d told Van already.”

All four women sit forward eagerly. “You told him already?” Hannah asks. “How did that go?”

I feel anger surge through me all over again when I remember his questions.

“Shitty,” I say. “He basically accused me of being a whore.”

Outraged voices shout over the top of one another.

“What?” This is Hannah.

“The fuck?” Said by Quinn.

“I’ll kick his ass.” Claire’s contribution.

“What exactly did he say?” Hope asks quietly after the outrage dies down.

I sigh and roll my eyes. “He asked if I was sure the baby is his. Like I sleep with so many guys I might not know. Like I’m about to drag him and 4 other men to a talk show for a DNA test.” I feel my anger fizzle a bit, replaced by something that feels closer to sadness.

“What a dick,” Claire says, making me smile.

“He’s your brother,” I say.

She shrugs. “Still a dick.”

“I hate to be the one to say this,” Hannah says, her voice gentle. “But he’s right to be a little hesitant. Any guy would be.”

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